Peter Reid faces stiff competition for the signature of Teddy Sheringham but has secured another rising star from Manchester United.

The Sky Blues' boss has spoken to 38-year-old Sheringham about a move to Highfield Road but Coca-Cola Championship rivals West Ham are also keen on recruiting the former England international who is available on a free transfer from Portsmouth.

But while negotiations continue, bustling centre-forward Eddie Johnson was today due at City after agreeing to a 12-month loan spell.

"It's no secret that I am on the lookout for a quality striker and I've been looking at a number of players over the last few weeks," said Reid about the former Tottenham and Man United player who was capped 51 times for England, scoring 11 goals.

"We have made contact with Teddy who would be a great signing for us, but things are still at a very early stage and I think we have got a bit of competition for him."

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Old Trafford trainee Johnson is due to join his new teammates for training later in the week after shaking off a bout of tonsillitis.

"Eddie is a big, strong lad and I think he will do a good job for us," added Reid.

"He is an England under-19 player and has a good pedigree, so he will have a great attitude as well as ability."

And Johnson comes highly recommended by City's other Old Trafford recruit, Neil Wood.

"I played with Eddie in the reserves all last season and I am sure this is a good move for him," he said.

"He is good in the air, a good target man and a good goal scorer."

Triallist defender Camille Borios has impressed Reid enough to want to sign him from Marseilles but Israeli international Ilan Bachar is heading back home.

"We have let Ilan go," confirmed Reid, "but we'll hope-fully be having a chat with Marseilles in the very near future about Camille and we'll go from there." oCITY target Phil Babb is considering retiring after telling Burnley he is not interested in a move to Turf Moor.

But Reid is trying to convince the 33-year-old centre-half to return to Coventry for one last season.

Although Babb is still fit, he is a wealthy man from his football career and has business interests outside the game.